U.S. Officials Looking to Shorten Quarantine Time for New York-London Travels

U.S. officials are looking to shorten the travel quarantine time for travels between New York City and London.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the increasing availability of COVID-19 tests in the U.S. “has prompted officials at the Transportation Department, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to revive efforts to establish safe travel corridors between the U.S. and international destinations, the people said.”

The establishment of such routes entails that travelers should have a COVID-19 test before their flight. Travelers would then get another upon arrival. This will allow “them to avoid lengthy quarantines at their destinations,” says the Journal.

Rapid tests are expected to be used as a primary tool.

According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, both the Trump administration and foreign governments would have to agree to the plan.

CNBC explained that the limited availability of testing in the U.S. has previously prompted longer wait times and delayed efforts to open international travel.

U.S. citizens can travel to the United Kingdom but must quarantine for 14 days. They also cannot travel to the European Union. The U.S. also prohibits entry to travelers from the U.K. and Europe unless they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, CNBC explained.

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